RESUMO
It has been found that a) a large rodent population exists in the area of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. b) serious economic loss is caused by rats and mice; c) the high incidence of infestation poses a serious threat to health d) public awareness is high but the attitudes and practices of the citizens towards rodent control is not commensurate with this awareness; e) that control measures now employed by private citizens, pest control operators and the health authorities are still inadequate and unco-ordinated, hence expectation of any significant abatement of the nuisance is extremely remote under present circumstances; f) that poor sanitation, with particular reference to collection, storage and disposal of refuse - can be regarded as the single most important factor influencing rodent infestation: the presence of uncontrolled garbage contributes directly to the incidence of rats and mice. Health education must be stressed if rodent eradication is to be achieved as well as the encouragement of the use of private pest control operators. (AU)
